Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, the common-touch Dubliner who tended Ireland's economic boom and the blossoming of Belfast peace, announced his resignation Wednesday under a darkening cloud of financial scandal.

Treasurys fell sharply Monday as another big gain in stocks encouraged investors to draw more money away from the safety of bonds. A sweetened buyout deal for Bear Stearns Cos. and better than expected housing data also lessened the market's appetite for government debt.

As floodwaters pushed against the Valley Park levee, Tracy Ziegler pushed a cold beer toward one of his customers at Meramec Jack's bar and grill. Like many residents of this small Meramec River town, Ziegler had been confident the new levee would pass its first test.